2.30 I think the Irish juvenile form looks very ordinary this year , so I can’t be having the short priced favourite Whistlejacket at those sort of odds. A couple at bigger prices look decent value as an alternative. Asterius looked very speedy at Bath and the trainer knows what it takes to get the job done ( very close 2nd on Tuesday with another Wathnan juvenile ) . The other is Tropical Storm who is the only one in this field yet to win, but this race went to a maiden in 2019 and 2023 and the form of the Newmarket contest has worked out spectacularly well. Advised Bets Asterius 1/2 pt ew @ 17’2 firms offering 4 places & Tropical Storm 1/2 pt ew @ 18’1 firms offering 4 places
3.05 Poniros’s Newbury form looks remarkably strong for a race like this . This son of Derby winner Golden Horn also looks very much like a horse who will improve again for the step up to 1m4f. Gilded Water is from the same connections won this race last year; confined to three runs this spring, taking major steps forward; surged well clear from the rest in the closing stages of a maiden at Chepstow three weeks ago and, although the opposition that day looked fair at best, he’s an exciting prospect whose dam is a 1m4f winner. Advised Bets Gilded Water 1/2 pt ew @ 5’1 firms offering 6 places & Poniros 1/2 pt ew @ 7’1 firms offering 6 places
3.45 Kalpana Bolted up on handicap and turf debut at Newmarket and although beaten at odds on last time out she was miles clear of the rest after a good battle & shapes as though 1m4f will suit. Port Fairy only just failed to to hold on at Chester and connections usually run a very good sort in that race & maybe a visor will help too. Advised Bet Kalpana 1/2 pt ew @ 9’2 firms offering 4 places & Port Fairy 1/2 pt ew @ 10’1 / 9’1 firms offering 4 places
4.25 Kyprios looks the stand out in this field , he was undone in last years renewal of the Long Distance Cup by to errant behaviour , but the jockey blamed himself for that defeat. He was an outstanding stayer in 2022, going unbeaten and winning the Ascot Gold Cup and the Prix du Cadran, by 20l & connections have made sure he is going to be match fit for this with 2 easy odds on wins this season. Advised Bet Kyprios 2pt win @ 11’8 / 5’4
5.05 Native Warrior strikes me as well handicapped , he wasn’t beaten all that far behind the 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech at Kempton in April before bossing a Nottingham maiden from the front, with the clear second flattered to close within a neck; he smacks of a horse with plenty more to offer (smart pedigree and cost 260,000gns). Volterra has been kept back for this race since an easy winner at Newmarket back in May. That form stacks up well, the time was solid so lots to like about this one too. Advised Bets Volterra 1/2 pt ew @ 4’1 firms offering 4 places & Native Warrior 1/2 pt ew @ 14’1 firms offering 4 places
5.40 I don’t see why Kings Gambit is such a short priced favourite for this race , yes he was very impressive at Newbury ( I backed him too that day ) & is obviously a graded horse but I am shocked at the current odds on offer. A solid alternative is First Look who has improved with each of his five starts & brings rock solid Grade 1 form to the table. I can also make a case for Bellum Justum who faded into a soundly beaten seventh in the Derby; this drop back in trip may be the right move for the time being. Advised Bets First Look 1/2 pt ew @ 5’1 firms offering 4 places & Bellum Justum 1/2 pt ew @ 20’1/ 18’1 firms offering 4 places
6.15 Mostabshir was impressive in two 1m novices and ran well in defeat in Group 1 St James’s Palace here last June; useful reappearance on AW in March but his finishing effort was rather tame in the Victoria Cup over C&D in May; perhaps he just had an off day, in which case he looks one of the more interesting ones with drying ground in his favour. Rhoscolyn is perfectly capable of taking a hand in this company, having finished third in this race in 2022 (good to firm) and again was on the premises over C&D last October , his run style could be a big asset in a big field like this . Advised Bets Mostabshir 1/2 pt ew @ 12’1 firms offering 6 places & Rhoscolyn 1/2 pt ew @ 25’1 firms offering 6 places